Version History

Our standards are dropping like flies and no one is noticing. What was once completely unacceptable as Chassidishe value, is now being pursued as holiness.

Since October 7th, our attitude towards world politics has shifted dramatically. Of course, individuals always followed politics—some quietly, some vocally. But it was always
understood as a personal hobby or a worldly concern, not something that held true value, and
for sure not a Chassidishe value.

Hamas's devastating attack on Simchas Torah touched the deepest part of our soul. It broke us to the core. We were not merely onlookers; we were emotionally, spiritually, and literally invested. Suddenly, we needed to know what would happen next, how Israel would respond.

So much of what the Rebbe taught us about Israel rose to the top, becoming more relevant than ever. This was a clear Chassidishe imperative—to rally for the safety of Eretz Yisrael. We hoped, that finally, the world would listen to the message of immediate action.

And so, we started following war updates. We checked the casualty reports, tracked the movements of the IDF, and absorbed the press conferences. We justified this intense focus because it was entirely related to Pikuach Nefesh and the Rebbe’s directives. This was where the subtle, crucial shift occurred. We unconsciously gave political interest a justification of true necessity. Websites we never touched became our most visited tabs. The external world, previously kept at arm's length, was suddenly welcomed in, justified by the highest spiritual reasoning.

But the conflict is never just about bullets and borders. It’s about policy, diplomacy, and pressure. Then came the next phase: the ceasefire negotiations and the war cabinet drama. Our attention shifted from battlefield updates to the maze of Israeli politics. For many, this was the first time we truly spent hours understanding the ins and outs of the Knesset, the coalition dynamics, and the endless internal debates.

The justification, however, still held: This was Chassidish. This was all about standing up for the Rebbe's fundamental principles concerning "Shleimus Ha'aretz".

But the shift didn't stop at the Gazan battlefield. Simultaneously, American anti-Semitism caught our attention. We watched in horror as the global reaction to the war unfolded. Suddenly, what was happening on a Goiyeshe campus—the protests, the faculty letters, the administrative silence—became the center of attention between Yungerleit Shabbos morning before Shachris. We were now deeply immersed in the nuances of American free speech and university governance.

We ended up slipping lower and lower down the slope. The next main shift was Trump.

Trump was running for president, this was a big deal for the war in Israel, so we were on close watch. Not just if he won the election or not, but long before the elections began we analyzed everything that would make a difference. 

Then we liked Trump, we peaked at a few other things he was involved in. Just a few.

Slowly, the boundaries crumbled. It wasn't just about Israel anymore. It wasn't just about Israel-related policy or anti-Semitism. All politics—from local elections to international trade—became acceptable, even encouraged, topics in our day-to-day conversations.

And yes, as much as we'd like to deny it, we now justify this obsession as being Chassidish and an important part of being a Yid. We rationalize that staying informed is key to our influence in Shleimus Ha'aretz where truly it's very far from that. The truth is, we have mistaken political engagement for spiritual activism.

What's the issue with politics? What's wrong with it being endorsed on public Chabad platforms? Stay tuned for part two.